On a particularly fortunate day, she manages to secure more than 20 dozen fish from fishermen, which she will later sell to her customers. Research has shown that the prevalence of "sex for fish" in these areas has had a significant impact on the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS cases and other STIs among the population residing in lakeshore communities.Įllen Malamula,31, from Likoma Island in the northern part of Malawi, has been in the fish business for years. This practice refers to instances where individuals, particularly women, engage in sexual relationships or transactions in exchange for fish or fishing-related resources. The issue of "sex for fish" has been a pressing concern in several lakeshore districts of Malawi, including Salima, Nkhotakota, Karonga, Nkhatabay, Likoma, Mangochi and Zomba. This scarcity has led to heightened competition and exploitation, particularly among women involved in the industry. Notably, the profits generated from their involvement in the fisheries business have enabled women in Malawi to provide essential support to their families and cover expenses such as school fees for their children, constructing permanent dwelling houses, purchasing food for their household and acquiring clothing for their children.īut the fishing business has become increasingly challenging, especially due to the scarcity of fish species in Malawi's lakes. Economically, the industry contributes up to four percent to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The fisheries industry in Malawi is a significant source of employment, with over 50,000 people working in the sector. Women play a significant role in various tasks at the landing sites, and are actively involved in crucial post-catch activities, including fish drying, sorting, transportation, and selling, at the country's major markets in Lilongwe, Mzuzu, Blantyre and Zomba. While men primarily dominate the fishing activities and own fishing equipment, it is women who predominantly engage in trading and processing of fish. There, more than 80 per cent of fish traders are women. The fishing sector plays a crucial role in driving economic growth in various countries, including Malawi in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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